40 s&w 180 plated

deadwolfarms · September 29, 2014, 06:53 PM

What's your best load with 231 and col thanks guys

Shotgun Slim · September 29, 2014, 07:55 PM

If you are looking for a nice light load for practice or play I find 4.0 grs of 231 with 1.127-1.130 to fill the bill. Light recoil.runs the factory spring in my guns and groups right nicely from them all. I've used Extreme 180 and Bullet Works 180 and they're both fine. I don't have a heavy load for 231 in .40 because I have other powders that to me are more satisfactory. Enjoy and safe shooting

SauerGrapes · September 29, 2014, 08:01 PM

One of the few powders I never loaded .40 with. Go figure.

Sevens · September 30, 2014, 12:08 PM

I use Power Pistol. And W231 may be one of -the- hardest handgun powders to find on the planet right now.

Nick_C_S · September 30, 2014, 12:48 PM

Quote:

And W231 may be one of -the- hardest handgun powders to find on the planet right now.

You got that right! Actually, I don't even think it's been produced since the shortages - seriously. The last time I saw any on a LGS shelf was November 2012. At the time, I had just a smidgen over 2 pounds and felt that to be plenty. Fast forward 22 months and I have just a smidgen over 1 pound now; and I've had it on "conservation mode" for the last 18 months. If I had been loading freely with it, I'd be completely out.

Side note: That day at my LGS when I last saw W231, they also had HP-38. Understanding that they are supposed to be same propellant, I took a moment to check lot numbers, and sure enough, they were exactly the same. It was at that moment for me that the urban legend of W231 and HP-38 being the same powder was truly confirmed for me. Sure wish I had grabbed some of that urban legend that day.

I don't load for 40 S&W so I can't address the OP's question directly. Other than to say that I'm sure 180g/W231 can make some good consistent practice rounds. But the pressure curve is going to be steep; so it would be good to do your load work-ups carefully and move your powder changes in small (1/10th grain) increments. You've got a fast powder with a heavy bullet.

Sevens · September 30, 2014, 01:25 PM

Saw an 8-lb'er of HP-38 at the last gun show I attended, that was 10 days ago. He had it priced like a collectible -- $225. That is not a typo.

TMD · September 30, 2014, 02:34 PM

My pet load for 180gr plated bullets is with 6grains of Power Pistol.

skizzums · September 30, 2014, 04:58 PM

I get hp38 all the time, it's def being shipped out in the last year, sometimes my reloading store will be out and I'll have to wait til the next Thursday. although, the pistol powders in general seem to have fallen off the last 3-4 months, not sure if that was to prepare for hunting season or what. I don't know if Georgia Arms ships powder, but they usually get HP38 on the last Thursday of every month. along with TG and hs-6

mxjunky78 · October 1, 2014, 08:19 PM

4.6gr of w231 and 180gr xtreme at 1.125 runs great in my G22. Soft shooting and accurate.

WESHOOT2 · October 3, 2014, 03:21 PM

I most highly recommend a start of 3.8g under a 180g plated.
Use .2g increments if/when working up.

I used 4.0g under a Rainier.

Power Pistol, 6.0g, 180g plated, OAL 1.130"+/-.005".

Wreck-n-Crew · October 5, 2014, 05:59 PM

delete

September 29, 2014, 06:53 PM	#1
deadwolfarms Member Join Date: November 27, 2011 Posts: 26	40 s&w 180 plated What's your best load with 231 and col thanks guys

September 29, 2014, 08:01 PM	#3
SauerGrapes Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Location: S.E.PA. Posts: 920	One of the few powders I never loaded .40 with. Go figure. __________________ NRA member, DCF&S member, PAFOA member, USPSA member, NSCA member R.I.P.____Murphy

September 30, 2014, 12:08 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I use Power Pistol. And W231 may be one of -the- hardest handgun powders to find on the planet right now. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 30, 2014, 01:25 PM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Saw an 8-lb'er of HP-38 at the last gun show I attended, that was 10 days ago. He had it priced like a collectible -- $225. That is not a typo. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 30, 2014, 04:58 PM	#8
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I get hp38 all the time, it's def being shipped out in the last year, sometimes my reloading store will be out and I'll have to wait til the next Thursday. although, the pistol powders in general seem to have fallen off the last 3-4 months, not sure if that was to prepare for hunting season or what. I don't know if Georgia Arms ships powder, but they usually get HP38 on the last Thursday of every month. along with TG and hs-6 __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

September 29, 2014, 07:55 PM	#2
Shotgun Slim Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2014 Location: Va Posts: 291	If you are looking for a nice light load for practice or play I find 4.0 grs of 231 with 1.127-1.130 to fill the bill. Light recoil.runs the factory spring in my guns and groups right nicely from them all. I've used Extreme 180 and Bullet Works 180 and they're both fine. I don't have a heavy load for 231 in .40 because I have other powders that to me are more satisfactory. Enjoy and safe shooting

September 30, 2014, 02:34 PM	#7
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	My pet load for 180gr plated bullets is with 6grains of Power Pistol.

October 1, 2014, 08:19 PM	#9
mxjunky78 Member Join Date: August 2, 2012 Posts: 61	4.6gr of w231 and 180gr xtreme at 1.125 runs great in my G22. Soft shooting and accurate.

October 3, 2014, 03:21 PM	#10
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	W231 vs 40 S&W I most highly recommend a start of 3.8g under a 180g plated. Use .2g increments if/when working up. I used 4.0g under a Rainier. Power Pistol, 6.0g, 180g plated, OAL 1.130"+/-.005". __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 5, 2014, 05:59 PM	#11
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	delete __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*